A groundbreaking ceremony today marks the launch of a transformative restoration and expansion of University of Toronto Schools (UTS), an affiliate of the University of Toronto on the downtown St. George campus.
The design by Diamond Schmitt Architects restores the heritage central and east wings built for the school by Darling and Pearson Architects in 1910 and 1924. Transformation of these wings includes conversion of the former gym into a Black Box Theatre and the former 25-yard pool into music teaching space.
The school program area is expanded by 40 percent with a new wing that includes a 700-seat auditorium lifted above grade to allow the school library – conceived as a learning crossroads – to overlook the community and neighbourhood park. The cantilevered auditorium creates a covered verandah where children in the park are protected from sun and rain. A new double gym is tucked under the park to conserve site area. Thirdly, a former parking lot will be transformed as a vertical forum and meeting place connecting the UTS community and all learning levels. ?UTS strengthens its historic alliance with the University of Toronto and with this compact plan enables the university to redevelop and expand on this gateway block of the St George campus,? said Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects.
The renewed school will serve 670 students and represents a best in class environment for secondary school learning.

?UTS has a 108-year-old tradition of ...